NiDCOM Replies Purported NIDO Worldwide Over Audit Query, Says Observation Not Final Finding

By Wale Abiodun 

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has responded to a letter from Sir Barr Chibuzor Ubochi on behalf of a purported NIDO Worldwide concerning the Auditor-General’s observations on the Commission.

In a statement from the Office of the Chairman and CEO, signed by management, NiDCOM said it acknowledges receipt of the letter and statement relating to the audit observation.

The Commission said for the avoidance of doubt, a query is meant to be responded to and NiDCOM is doing exactly that.

According to the Commission, it is appropriate to allow the established process to take its course and await its response to the query before making public pronouncements on matters still being addressed through due process.

NiDCOM stressed that an audit observation is not in itself a final finding of wrongdoing. It is therefore premature and inappropriate for any organisation to prejudge the Commission’s response or draw conclusions before relevant facts, records and explanations have been fully considered.

For the record, NiDCOM clarified that the event mentioned in the audit observations was the Global Alliance Diaspora Symposium, organised in partnership with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, OACPS, an organisation comprising 74 member states.

The Commission said it was a global event with support from the Ministry of National Planning for which NiDCOM collaborated with officials of the Ministry as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 2023 event in question was not the regular NiDCOM events and the NIDO Europe Chairman at that time was one of those sponsored to attend.

NiDCOM also addressed the issue of representation, stating that NIDO is one organisation within the Nigerian diaspora community and cannot present itself as representing the collective views of all Nigerians living abroad.

The Commission said perhaps this is also an opportunity for NIDO to reflect on and address some of its longstanding internal challenges, which have affected its cohesion and broader representation.

Given the varying claims and perspectives within the organisation, it may be prudent to avoid giving the impression that its current leadership speaks for the entire Nigerian diaspora, the statement added.

NiDCOM noted that the signatories to the letter are entitled to express their views, but those views should be understood within the context of the wider and diverse Nigerian diaspora, rather than as representing Nigerians abroad as a whole.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process, adding that it is responding to the query through appropriate institutional channels and will allow competent authorities to consider facts and documentation in accordance with their mandate.

The Commission expressed hope that the matter will be allowed to follow due process and that when concluded, the outcome will be treated with the same level of seriousness and public attention with which the matter was initially raised.